Keira&Phoenix

I just wanted to get people's opinions and experiences on the two different techniques (TPLO and TTA). My 2.5 yo Pitbull x has ruptured her cruciate after having a partial tear for around 5-6 weeks. She is booked for surgery next week at VSS but the surgeon only spoke to me about TPLO and stressed out me didn't ask about TTA's when I had meant to ask about it. I had a vet tell me that they prefer the TTA method as they had seen multiple dogs under go the TPLO and have issues afterwards. I have had a Vet Nurse friend tell me she opted for TTA as opposed to TPLO for her Amstaff due to the fact the TPLO cuts a chunk out of the tibia as opposed to the TTA which cuts into the tibia and has an implant inserted, which is less extreme and can be undone if needed. I have seen other people comment on issues after TPLO surgery and have noticed similar issue in a dog I know who had TPLO surgery. What is everyone elses experience/opinions? I am talking to the surgeon tomorrow to discuss but just want to know if I am worrying about nothing or if my concern is legitimate. Thanks in advance.

Just adding my 2 cents. I avoid dog parks like most responsible bull breed owners (such as the ones on here). Not because my girl, because of other dogs. Just like everyone has stated, she won't start it, will finish it. There has been several occasions previously where I have gone to a dog park with a group of friends and their dogs and a strangers dog has gotten in my girls face, been asked politely by her to back off, they very rarely comply, they then start to chase her around and I end up having to grab the other dog or kick at it so she doesn't need to escalate. This is why I won't go anymore, because a) its not a healthy environment for her, and b) if I don't grab the other dog in time she will escalate and then she gets the blame because she is "one of those dogs". Have to agree with Aiden2 re: "dominating the dog". Stop watching Cesar Milan. Dominance is not what you think it is. And dogs are not plotting to take over the world in their spare time. By being in control of all the resources ie: food, water, toys, sleeping spaces etc you are automatically the leader/in control. This is what dominance is: the control of a resource/s. Not physical dominance. Developing a relationship based on mutual respect and trust is what is needed. I have a female Pitt x and a female Ridgie X Mastiff, I have never in their lives needed to exert any dominance over them because we have functioning working relationships based on mutual trust and respect. Achieved completely using positive reinforcement and (non physical) positive punishment. Back to the question at hand. Staffy and Amstaff - Even if you heavily socialise as pups you may end up with a dog that is dog selective or aggressive. Boxer probably a better choice if your wanting dog friendly, although will still need lots of socialisation. All of these breeds are great companions, can spend the time alone (just make sure you teach it to be happy being alone while its a pup), great as walking/jogging/running partners. Boxer's tend to be a bit more bouncy then the other two. Get a male, they are more relaxed, more cuddly and easier in general. Females are smarter and cheekier (the word bitch means what it does for a reason). Males can be taught not to mark if that is a concern.

Made me cry but I agree with someone earlier, I dislike the real reason behind the ad which is marketing of a brand of food and a terrible brand of food at that. I also think running them side by side would have a better effect in relation to creating donations.

LMAO I read about that. I doubt this will be near as busy but understand if you want to give the poor buggar a break lol.

Hi All! Paws Alive are holding a fundraising fun day at Musgrave Dog Park, Musgrave Ave, Southport on Saturday June 2nd, to help raise funds so that we can keep rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs. http://www.pawsalive.org/ Many of our current dogs up for adoption will also be attending the event, so please come along and meet them! DO WE HAVE A GREAT DAY PLANNED FOR YOU! Face Painting - Balloon Twisting - Pony Rides - Live Entertainment - Kids Colouring In Competition - Sausage Sizzle - Jumping Castle - Rides - Puppy Kissing Booth - Pet Product Stalls - Raffles - Dog/Puppy Events - Door Prizes - Tattoo Art - Pet Photography - Discounted Mobile Microchipping, Mobile Dog Washers and so much more..... Adult & Kids Event Entry is FREE and a FREE Door Prize Raffle Ticket Tickets Are Sold Upon Entry Dog/Puppy Events are $2 To Enter Each Event Kissing Booth $2 a turn = (4Dogs + $2) http://homesweetforeverhomes.weebly.com/paws-alive-fundraiser.html Please come along, bring the kids and the dogs! Paws Alive Fundraiser Fun Day Facebook Event Page

Yucky situation. I am sorry you got scared and hurt, that isn't on and the owner certainly should have asked if you were ok, maybe he was too shocked himself and not thinking. I often walk away from something and realise I didn't say thank you etc and feel bad and that is without being in a stressful situation LOL. In relation to the recall, he may or may not have a recall. If the dog is 8 months old it is mid adolescents which means it is more likely to give him the metaphorically middle finger anyways but again under the stress of the situation he may not of even thought of calling the dog. I had a friend whose dog was accidentally let out of the house by their real estate agents and took off down the street, the dogs Dad forgot to call it but luckily the neighbour wasn't as panicked as him and called her and she came back. Seems like an unlucky accident overall and hopefully the owner will always check the leash is in good condition from now on.

They aren't prohibited in Australia, they are just a restricted breed. You are still allowed to own one in the NT and ACT and depending on what council you live in they are either banned or not... meaning they won't register it and if you are found to have one you can either fight them in court to prove it is not one or the dog gets PTS regardless of whether its the friendliest dog in the world or an aggressive one. Pit Bull is a blanket term used to describe any muscular looking dog generally by people that have no idea what a American Pit Bull Terrier actually looks like. Could be anything an APBT, AmStaff, Boxer x lab... really you are screwed unless you have papers proving its pedigree - in there eyes if it looks the part it is. In QLD there are laws stating an AmStaff can not be an APBT and vice versa so the laws aren't as harsh as they are in other states like Victoria. Considering the APBT isn't actually an official breed in Australia they are really just condemning every dog that fits the "standard". Just to add to this. In Qld our legislation also states a xbreed is not included in a breed. So if you have a PB x officially it is legal, and seeing as we dont recognise APBT in Australia all APBT are xbreeds.bur councils try to take a harsher approach even though I dont think its legal for them too and we have had enough court cases in Qld now thatcouncils think twice before doing anything. There is a customs ban on them ie: you cant import them into the country but that is not a blanket ban on having them. Essentially each State is a little different and you would need to look at Legislation in each state. Bull terriers and Amstaffs (papered) are fine.

Some of Phi's best friends are Cavaliers. Good to hear a nice report :) Thanks for sharing.

She is officially nominated! Yay!

He also may not have been able to afford to move, he was out of work. Might have been in a lease and couldn't afford having 2 while the first ran out. Finding pitbull friendly housing in any state of the US is difficult. Lots of reasons he probably felt like he wouldn't be able to move and it is quite likely someone who was harassing him did something really nasty on that last day, people are disgusting sometimes.

Just throwing it out there as I think in some dogs is does make a different A friend has a male Malamute. He had some behaviour issues with other dogs (wouldn't interact with them, when any dogs came near he stiffened, growled etc), and was also really quite skinny and lanky. He finally got the dog desexed at 9/10 months, the dogs body has evened out, he looks like he is supposed to now and all the issues he had with other dogs are gone, overnight and I am not exaggerating. He has turned into one of the best dogs we have in our groups. The change floored us.

I would have thought it was CCTV, but apparently my tinfoil hat isn't working because you've now convinced me it was an effort to win money on a home video show. LOL Just normal CCTV for an apartment building. Gosh the dog was lucky. Seemed totally surprised and even tried to get on the next elevator. Lucky the lady was there to hold onto it while the owner came back down. Actually the owner suffered I think a broken wrist and finger as well.

Sorry for the double post. DAVERI I can send you a link to a great thread on another forum where a member purposely mated their dog to produce a litter. She has gone through almost every forseeable issue. The dog went into whelp and only got a few puppies out before she couldn't get anymore, had to have a C-Section (expensive much!, the first pups had to be hand fed while mum was at the vet, then she went home, 2 of the pups died by being squashed by Mum accidentally, things seemed to be going well when Mum stopped feeding/producing milk and had to be taken BACK to the vet, turned out she had an infection...more antibiotics. 9/10 pups had to be hand fed every 2 hours. Mum dog got better but is sick again (Pups are 3 weeks old) and is needing to have a hysterectomy now (another very expensive surgery) and is still not feeding pups. To top it all off, 3 of the pups got sick and needed to be taken to the vet. Before hysterectomy (another $1200) and sick pups there vet costs were already over $6000 and that doesn't include costs for feeding the pups or vaccinations to be done prior to sending to new homes etc. She won't be doing it again. The pups have now almost cost her $1000 each, a price she will not get for wolfhound x who knows what mutts.

There is a law that came in on January 1st. that states that anyone owning more than 3 entire breeding dogs or cats must become a registered business and have an ABN number regardless of how many litters they do or don't breed and regardless of whether there is a profit made or not. Those not required to conform to this are those affiliated with certain groups such as if you are a member of several organisations listed such as DogsVic, Cat Protection Sociey etc. thats interesting! is that just in VIC or Australia wide? haven't heard it here in QLD A similar law is being looked at, at the moment for Queensland. There is this on the Gold Coast http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=9027 Which I think is going statewide.. http://www.news.com.au/national/new-laws-target-queensland-puppy-farms/story-e6frfkwr-1226250158953

Splash Down Face First Really Mum a Santa Hat I gots the bubble Now ladies keep your legs crossed Boiiinnggg

Yes tell your friend not to wait to find out who they are to report the incident. Otherwise there might be questions why she waited so long. Make sure she gets a picture of the injury as well while it is still as fresh as possible. This is also something the police may want to do so getting in to see them while the injury is fresh is important as well.

Wow that is terrible. Your poor friend, I hope she is ok. Make sure she goes to the doctor (obvious I know) and gets a report, then makes a full report to Animal Control and the police. Even if she doesn't have specifics like where they live, best to make a report as early as possible and then give further details later if necessary.

Renters get treated like shit too. I know many friends who are fabulous renters who have been screwed over by landlords selling the house from under them with no notice, or when asked saying that they are not selling the house, then do. Kick them out with no grounds or flimsey made up bullsh*t, change the terms of the lease etc. It is all illegal but most tenants won't fight it because it is a hard long road (just like landlords trying to get money). To be honest, sometimes I think the biggest problem is property managers, they treat renters like crap, don't communicate properly, lie and so forth, they create a lot of problems themselves. I get that landlords have a lot invested but remember renters pay out thousands of dollars each year that in the end is dead money. $350 a week turns into $18,200 a year, in dead money, they can't even choose to have a pet or not. And it is very hard to rent and save money to buy a place.

So very happy for you Clyde. I know the pain of a dog that goes missing and never returns, of not knowing what happened to them, I only hope that my baby got a lovely life with another family. I am so glad that Alvin is back and still himself. Bet he is going to get lots of hugs and kisses in the next few days. Your poor dog sitter I bet she was over the moon to hear he is back as well.

Oh bummer I came in hoping there was some good news for you Clyde. Still thinking about you and your little family.

I also use Rowan at Animal Options and as others have said I trust him more than just any old Chiro because he is a licensed Veterinarian, he can lose his license if he mucks up. On top of that his work is amazing. My dog has bilateral hip displaxia along with other skeletal issues and she comes out of Rowan's looking 100 times better. When my younger dog hurt her neck, the vet I took her to (it was a Saturday afternoon so went to a emergency clinic) diagnosed her with panosteitis and when she continued to be in pain even through all the pain killers and looked sore in the neck I took her to see Jenny (also a Vet/Chriro) at Animal Options turns out she had jarred her neck/pinched a nerve badly and with 2 sessions she was fine. Just like us dogs can throw their back out, injure their joints etc so I think as someone else mentioned having a good Chiro checkup is part of good overall health and most everyday vets would never pick up on the things they do or would rely on xrays etc. And I refer many many puppy people from my classes to see Rowan and all come back with fantastic reviews.

How horrible Clyde. Fingers and toes crossed that Alvin has showed up or will show up very soon.

Comfortis is the only thing that works for my dogs especially the one with Flea Allergy Dermatitis. I have never noticed mine get sick from it (both are over 25kgs though) and I only have to re do them maybe once every 2 - 3 months (when I see fleas coming back). In saying this maybe there was a bad batch as 2 of my friends did their 4 dogs a week ago and 3 of their dogs seemed a bit off colour for a few days after but nothing major.

Sway - You mentioned you keep bloat kits...what exactly do you have in your bloat kit? Was just doing a bit of reading and seems adding things like Apple Cider Vinegar and Probiotics to your dogs diet is also recommended?

Woohoo one of my parcels has arriced at my office. I am on holidays and it was too late to go pick it up when I found out about it so I will know tomorrow which it is. I have a feeling its the 2nd order though lol.